Removal of selected endocrine-disrupting compounds by metal-organic framework-based membranes in aqueous solution: A review

Abstract

The proliferation of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) in aquatic ecosystems poses severe environmental and health risks, highlighting the limitations of conventional membrane filtration in effectively removing these persistent contaminants. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of metal-organic framework (MOF)based membranes as an advanced dual-functional platform for the efficient remediation of diverse EDCs, including hormones, pesticides, industrial chemicals such as bisphenol A, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). By systematically evaluating the interplay between membrane physicochemical properties and operational conditions, this review demonstrates that integrating various MOFs (e.g., UiO-66-NH2, MIL-101(Cr), and ZIF-8) into the membrane matrix substantially enhances surface hydrophilicity, porosity, and negative surface charge density. These modifications facilitate synergistic removal mechanisms, including steric hindrance, electrostatic repulsion, target-specific molecular imprinting, and catalytic degradation. Consequently, these nanocomposite membranes achieve near-complete removal efficiencies for recalcitrant compounds and long-chain PFASs while alleviating the traditional permeability-selectivity trade-off within optimized operational regimes. Despite these significant advancements, critical challenges remain for large-scale practical application, notably the structural vulnerability of certain MOF frameworks under extreme pH conditions, the insufficient retention of highly mobile short-chain PFASs, and competitive fouling in complex, real-world wastewater matrices. Ultimately, this review underscores the critical need to develop robust, multifunctional catalytic architectures and refine fabrication protocols to ensure the long-term structural stability and scalable deployment of MOF-based technologies for sustainable water treatment.